Al held the titles of Renshi Shihan Kaiden and the rank of 8th Dan in Shotokan Karatedo  and 3rd Dan in Hakko-Ryu JiuJitsu . He also held the titles of SiGung (teacher of teachers) in the kung fu arts of Tai Chi, Pakua and Hsing-I,  and the title of Sifu (instructor) in Wing Chun. He also served on the board of directors for a number of national organizations and was a co-founder and charter member of the board of directors of the National Martial Arts Association.

NATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION

IN MEMORIAM

Soke Richard P. Baillargeon (1930-1989)

Richard P. Baillargeon began his martial arts in Urmagawa, Japan in 1956. From 1964 to 1974 he was

the U.S. Representative for the Seishin Kai Karate Union, led by Soke Shogo Kuniba, Motobu-Ha

Shito-Ryu Karatedo.

In the summer of 1974, Baillargeon resigned from Seishin Kai and formed his own organization: The National Karate JiuJitsu Union and became its Soke. During this time, Soke Baillargeon and Soke Kuniba remained on friendly terms and, in July 1986, Soke Baillargeon was awarded 8th Dan in Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karatedo. He also held the rank of master in Indo-Pakistani weapons, as well as being 6th Dan in Goshin Budo JiuJitsu.

Hanshi Alan S. Gardner (1950-2006)

An accomplished professional martial arts instructor for over 31 years, Al began studying both karate and kung fu in 1963. He was full contact kuo shu champion in 1968 and 1969, and was honored as “Cultural Athlete of the Year” by the Chinese Embassy.